The Rev. Dr. Bobby Earl Pettit, Sr., 92, of Spartanburg, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at White Oak at North Grove. Dr. Pettit was born on June 23, 1933, in Walnut Grove, SC, a son of the late Alice Goldie Strange Pettit and John Lewis Pettit.

Dr. Pettit was a graduate of Roebuck High School and received his B.A. degree from Presbyterian College. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. He served as a Minister in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

A Korean War veteran, Bobby served in the United States Naval Air Force from 1951-1955. He served two tours overseas aboard the USS Oriskany, USS Boxer and USS Hancock. He was awarded numerous medals and commendations for his honorable service.

His ministerial career began as a Student Pastor in Fairplay and Townville Presbyterian Churches. As a member of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., he served as Pastor of Lebanon and Warrenton Presbyterian Churches in Abbeville, SC, South Aiken Presbyterian Church in Aiken, SC, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, SC, First Presbyterian Church in Anderson, SC; and Glenn Springs Presbyterian Church in Glenn Springs, SC. Other places of service were with Columbia Seminary Alumni Council (as a member and former President), Georgia Homes in the Georgia and South Carolina Synod (Trustee), Presbyterian College (Executive Committee), Presbyterian Home in SC (Chairman of the Board), Rabun Gap Nachoochee School in Georgia (Chairman of the Academic Committee), and three terms as commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. He served as Moderator with the SC Presbytery, Presbytery of the Piedmont, and the Foothills Presbytery.

Dr. Pettit believed in strong, steady participation in community civic organizations. He served as a member of Ruritan National in Abbeville, SC, Chaplain of REA of Abbeville, McCormick and Anderson counties, a Charter Board Member of the Spartanburg Girl’s Home, Board Member of Spartanburg Mental Health Association and Spartanburg Retarded Citizens, member of Civitan Club of Spartanburg, member of Rotary International in Anderson, Board member of Salvation Army in Anderson and Aiken, Chaplain of the Soil Conservation Board in Anderson, Board member of Anderson Christmas Fund of the Anderson Independent, and a Board member of The Glenn Springs Preservation Society.

Because of his dedicated and faithful service, Dr. Pettit was the recipient of numerous honors and awards. Among the many honors he received, he counted The Order of the Palmetto, given by the Governor of South Carolina and The Good Neighbor Award, given by the Salvation Army as his most meaningful. Other awards and recognitions were receiving an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Presbyterian College, The Columbia Theological Seminary Indiantown Award, the Community Service Award, given by Anderson Rotary Club, named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Anderson Rotary Club, and receiving the Key to the City of Anderson. Dr. Pettit was awarded the honor of Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church in Anderson, SC and again from the Glenn Springs Presbyterian Church in Glenn Springs, SC.

Along with his parents, Dr. Pettit was predeceased by his loving and faithful wife of 65 years, Geneva West Pettit; his brothers, Curtis Pettit, Roy Pettit, Wayne Pettit and Atlee Pettit; and his sisters, Leukevia Smith and Lillie Allie Skinner.

Surviving is his son, Bobby E. “Robbie” Pettit, Jr. (Anna); his daughter, Ann Pettit Sander; the father of his grandchildren, Dave Sander; his grandchildren, AshleyAnn Sander Dailey (Sterling), John Barry Pettit (Marlee) and Preston Davis Sander; two great-grandchildren, Evelyn Ann Dailey and Lottie Lee Pettit, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:30 pm Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Glenn Springs Presbyterian Church Fellowship Building, 6001 SC Highway 215, Pauline, SC 29374. Funeral service will follow in the Glenn Springs Presbyterian Church at 3:00 pm, conducted by the Rev. Deborah Foster and Mr. Kevin Horres. Burial, with military honors, will be in the church cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the staff of White Oak at North Grove for the kind and loving support and care given to Dr. Pettit during his stay.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Glenn Springs Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 279, Pauline, SC 29374, The Salvation Army, 1529 John B. White Sr. Blvd, Spartanburg, SC 29301, or to Mobile Meals, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

The J.L. Floyd Mortuary is serving the Pettit family.